Probing magnetic order and disorder in the one-dimensional molecular spin chains CuF2(pyz) and [Ln(hfac)3(boaDTDA)] n (Ln = Sm, La) using implanted muons.

We present the results of muon-spin relaxation ([Formula: see text]SR) measurements on antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic spin chains. In antiferromagnetic CuF2(pyz) we identify a transition to long range magnetic order taking place at [Formula: see text] K, allowing us to estimate a ratio with the intrachain exchange of [Formula: see text] and the ratio of interchain to intrachain exchange coupling as [Formula: see text]. The ferromagnetic chain [Sm(hfac)3(boaDTDA)] n undergoes an ordering transition at [Formula: see text] K, seen via a broad freezing of dynamic fluctuations on the muon (microsecond) timescale and implying [Formula: see text]. The ordered radical moment continues to fluctuate on this timescale down to 0.3 K, while the Sm moments remain disordered. In contrast, the radical spins in [La(hfac)3(boaDTDA)] n remain magnetically disordered down to T = 0.1 K suggesting [Formula: see text].

Functional and molecular outcomes of the human masticatory muscles.

The masticatory muscles achieve a broad range of different activities such as chewing, sucking, swallowing, and speech. In order to accomplish these duties, masticatory muscles have a unique and heterogeneous structure and fiber composition, enabling them to produce their strength and contraction speed largely dependent on their motor units and myosin proteins that can change in response to genetic and environmental factors. Human masticatory muscles express unique myosin isoforms, including a combination of thick fibers, expressing myosin light chains (MyLC) and myosin class I and II heavy chains (MyHC) -IIA, -IIX, α-cardiac, embryonic and neonatal and thin fibers, respectively. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge regarding the importance of fiber-type diversity in masticatory muscles versus supra- and infrahyoid muscles, and versus limb and trunk muscles. We also highlight new information regarding the adaptive response and specific genetic variations of muscle fibers on the functional significance of the masticatory muscles, which influences craniofacial characteristics, malocclusions, or asymmetry. These findings may offer future possibilities for the prevention of craniofacial growth disturbances.

The importance of infant mental health.

A clear understanding of infant mental health will significantly assist a clinician's ability to provide high-quality paediatric care for children and their families, given the new understanding of its role in overall development. The present commentary describes the mental health needs of children <3 years of age and provides practical suggestions for the office setting.

En raison des nouvelles connaissances sur le rôle de la santé mentale dans le développement global, le clinicien sera mieux en mesure de fournir des soins pédiatriques de qualité aux enfants et à leur famille s'il comprend bien la santé mentale des nourrissons. Le présent commentaire décrit les besoins des enfants de moins de trois ans en matière de santé mentale et contient des suggestions pratiques à utiliser en cabinet.

Muon-spin relaxation study of the double perovskite insulators Sr2 BOsO6 (B = Fe, Y, ln).

We present the results of zero-field muon-spin relaxation measurements made on the double perovskite insulators Sr2 BOsO6 (B = Fe,Y, In). Spontaneous muon-spin precession indicative of quasistatic long range magnetic ordering is observed in Sr2FeOsO6 within the AF1 antiferromagnetic phase for temperatures below [Formula: see text] K. Upon cooling below T2≈67 K the oscillations cease to be resolvable owing to the coexistence of the AF1 and AF2 phases, which leads to a broader range of internal magnetic fields. Using density functional calculations we identify a candidate muon stopping site within the unit cell, which dipole field simulations show to be consistent with the proposed magnetic structure. The possibility of incommensurate magnetic ordering is discussed for temperatures below TN = 53 K and 25 K for Sr2YOsO6 and Sr2InOsO6, respectively.

Global oral health inequalities: task group--periodontal disease.

Periodontal diseases constitute one of the major global oral health burdens, and periodontitis remains a major cause of tooth loss in adults worldwide. The World Health Organization recently reported that severe periodontitis exists in 5-20% of adult populations, and most children and adolescents exhibit signs of gingivitis. Likely reasons to account for these prevalent diseases include genetic, epigenetic, and environmental risk factors, as well as individual and socio-economic determinants. Currently, there are fundamental gaps in knowledge of such fundamental issues as the mechanisms of initiation and progression of periodontal diseases, which are undefined; inability to identify high-risk forms of gingivitis that progress to periodontitis; lack of evidence on how to prevent the diseases effectively; inability to detect disease activity and predict treatment efficacy; and limited information on the effects of integration of periodontal health as a part of the health care program designed to promote general health and prevent chronic diseases. In the present report, 12 basic, translational, and applied research areas have been proposed to address the issue of global periodontal health inequality. We believe that the oral health burden caused by periodontal diseases could be relieved significantly in the near future through an effective global collaboration.

HLA-DRB1 reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus by increased insulin secretion.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We sought to identify the physiological implications of genetic variation at the HLA-DRB1 region in full-heritage Pima Indians in Arizona. METHODS: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms from the HLA region on chromosome 6p were tested for association with skeletal muscle mRNA expression of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRA, and with type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetic traits. RESULTS: The A allele at rs9268852, which tags HLA-DRB1 02(1602), was associated both with higher HLA-DRB1 mRNA expression (n = 133, p = 4.27 × 10(-14)) and decreased risk of type 2 diabetes (n = 3,265, OR 0.723, p = 0.002). Among persons with normal glucose tolerance (n = 266) this allele was associated with a higher mean acute insulin response during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (p = 0.005), higher mean 30 min insulin concentration during an oral glucose tolerance test (p = 0.017) and higher body fat percentage (p = 0.010). The polymorphism was not associated with HLA-DRA mRNA expression or insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: HLA-DRB1*02 is protective for type 2 diabetes, probably by enhancing self tolerance, thereby protecting against the autoimmune-mediated reduction of insulin secretion.

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, and lactic acid bacteria in chill brines.

Listeria monocytogenes is the pathogen of concern in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products. Salt brines are used to chill processed meats. L. monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can grow under saline conditions, and may compete with each other for nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Carnobacterium gallinarum, and Lactobacillus plantarum) on the survival of L. monocytogenes and Listeria innocua in brines stored under low temperatures for 10 d. Sterile tap water (STW) and 2 brine solutions (7.9% and 13.2% NaCl) were inoculated with 1 of 5 cocktails (L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, LAB, L. monocytogenes+ LAB, or L. innocua+ LAB) at initial concentrations of 7 log CFU/mL. Brines were stored for 10 d at 4 or 12 degrees C. Three replications of each brine concentration/cocktail/temperature combination were completed. No significant reductions of L. monocytogenes occurred in 7.9%[w/v] or 13.2%[w/v] brines when LAB were present; however, there were significant reductions after 10 d of L. monocytogenes in the STW solution when LAB were present (1.43 log CFU/mL at 4 degrees C and 3.02 log CFU/mL at 12 degrees C). L. innocua was significantly less resilient to environmental stresses of the brines than L. monocytogenes, both with and without LAB present (P< or = 0.05). These strains of lactic acid bacteria are not effective at reducing L. monocytogenes in brines at low temperatures. Furthermore, use of L. innocua as a model for L. monocytogenes is not appropriate under these environmental conditions.

Effects of ionizing irradiation and hydrostatic pressure on Escherichia coli O157:H7 inactivation, chemical composition, and sensory acceptability of ground beef patties.

A randomized complete block design with three replications was utilized to determine the effects of ionizing irradiation and hydrostatic pressure on the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, volatile composition, and consumer acceptability (n=155) of frozen ground beef patties. E-beam and X-ray irradiation (2kGy) inactivated E. coli O157:H7 below the limit of detection, while hydrostatic pressure treatment (300mPa for 5min at 4°C) did not inactivate this pathogen. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was used to extract volatile compounds from treated ground beef patties. Irradiation and hydrostatic pressure altered the volatile composition (P<0.05) of the ground beef patties in respect to radiolytic products. However, results were inconclusive on whether these differences were great enough to use this method to differentiate between irradiated and non-irradiated samples in a commercial setting. Irradiation did not affect (P>0.05) consumer acceptability of ground beef patties when compared to untreated samples, but hydrostatic pressure caused decreased acceptability (P<0.05) when compared to other treatments.

The potential impact of periodontal disease on general health: a consensus view.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for a link between periodontal disease and several systemic diseases is growing rapidly. The infectious and inflammatory burden of chronic periodontitis is thought to have an important systemic impact. Current evidence suggests that periodontitis is associated with an increased likelihood of coronary heart disease and may influence the severity of diabetes. SCOPE: This paper represents a UK and Ireland cross-specialty consensus review, undertaken by a group of physicians and dentists. The consensus group reviewed published evidence (PubMed search for review and original articles), focusing on the past 5 years, on the contributory role of periodontal disease to overall health. In particular, evidence relating to a role for periodontal disease in cardiovascular disease and in diabetes was considered. FINDINGS: Initial studies of large epidemiological data sets have sought to find links between periodontitis and systemic disease outcomes, but a causal relationship still needs to be demonstrated between periodontal disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes through prospective studies. There is a need for prospective studies assessing the association between periodontal disease and patients at particular risk of cardiovascular events which will allow assessment of both cardiovascular disease clinical endpoints and surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk. Of note, periodontal disease is also often more severe in subjects with diabetes mellitus, a group at already increased risk for cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: While further research is needed to define the population-attributable risk of periodontal disease to both cardiovascular diseases and to diabetes control and progression, health education to encourage better oral health should be considered as part of current healthy lifestyle messages designed to reduce the increasing health burden of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Use of UV light for the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria species in recirculated chill brines.

Ready-to-eat meat products have been implicated in several foodborne listeriosis outbreaks. Microbial contamination of these products can occur after thermal processing when products are chilled in salt brines. The objective of this study was to evaluate UV radiation on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria in a model brine chiller system. Two concentrations of brine (7.9% [wt/wt] or 13.2% [wt/wt]) were inoculated with a approximately 6.0 log CFU/ml cocktail of L. monocytogenes or lactic acid bacteria and passed through a UV treatment system for 60 min. Three replications of each bacteria-and-brine combination were performed and resulted in at least a 4.5-log reduction in microbial numbers in all treated brines after exposure to UV light. Bacterial populations were significantly reduced after 5 min of exposure to UV light in the model brine chiller compared with the control, which received no UV light exposure (P < 0.05). The maximum rate of inactivation for both microorganisms in treated brines occurred between minutes 1 and 15 of UV exposure. Results indicate that in-line treatment of chill brines with UV light reduces the number of L. monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria.

Periodontal disease at the biofilm-gingival interface.

BACKGROUND: A molecular epidemiologic study provided the opportunity to characterize the biology of the biofilm-gingival interface (BGI) in 6,768 community-dwelling subjects. METHODS: Disease classifications and multivariable models were developed using clinical, microbial, inflammatory, and host-response data. The purpose was to identify new clinical categories that represented distinct biologic phenotypes based upon DNA checkerboard analyses of eight plaque bacteria, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers to 17 bacteria, and the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of 16 inflammatory mediators. Five BGI clinical conditions were defined using probing depths (PDs) and bleeding on probing (BOP) scores. Subjects with all PDs < or = 3 mm were grouped as BGI-healthy (14.3% of sample) or BGI-gingivitis (BGI-G, 15.1%). Subjects with one or more PDs > or = 4 mm [deep lesion (DL)] were divided into low BOP (18.0%), moderate BOP (BGI-DL/MB, 39.7%), and severe BOP (BGI-DL/SB, 12.9%). RESULTS: Subjects with BGI-G had increased levels of Campylobacter rectus-specific serum IgG levels (P = 0.01), and those with BGI-DL/SB had increased IgG levels to Porphyromonas gingivalis (P < 0.0003) and C. rectus (P < 0.01). BGI-DL/SB subjects had an excessive GCF interleukin (IL)-1beta and prostaglandin E2 response and an enhanced chronic inflammatory response with significant increases in GCF IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic peptide-1. Within BGI-DL/SB subjects, more severe pocketing and BOP were associated with higher levels of GCF IL-1beta, not higher microbial counts or plaque scores. CONCLUSIONS: New BGI classifications create categories with distinct biologic phenotypes. The increased titers of C. rectus IgG among 68.5% of the BGI-G subjects and elevated P. gingivalis titers among BGI-DL/MB and BGI-DL/SB subjects (63.8% and 75.7%, respectively) are strongly supportive of the microbial specificity of pathogenesis for BGI categories.

A 3D quantitative comparison of trapezium and trapezoid relative articular and nonarticular surface areas in modern humans and great apes.

The structure and functions of the modern human hand are critical components of what distinguishes Homo sapiens from the great apes (Gorilla, Pan, and Pongo). In this study, attention is focused on the trapezium and trapezoid, the two most lateral bones of the distal carpal row, in the four extant hominid genera, representing the first time they have been quantified and analyzed together as a morphological-functional complex. Our objective is to quantify the relative articular and nonarticular surface areas of these two bones and to test whether modern humans exhibit significant shape differences from the great apes, as predicted by previous qualitative analyses and the functional demands of differing manipulative and locomotor strategies. Modern humans were predicted to show larger relative first metacarpal and scaphoid surfaces on the trapezium because of the regular recruitment of the thumb during manipulative behaviors; alternatively, great apes were predicted to show larger relative second metacarpal and scaphoid surfaces on the trapezoid because of the functional demands on the hands during locomotor behaviors. Modern humans were also expected to exhibit larger relative mutual joint surfaces between the trapezoid and adjacent carpals than do the great apes because of assumed transverse loads generated by the functional demands of the modern human power grip. Using 3D bone models acquired through laser digitizing, the relative articular and nonarticular areas on each bone are quantified and compared. Multivariate analyses of these data clearly distinguish modern humans from the great apes. In total, the observed differences between modern humans and the great apes support morphological predictions based on the fact that this region of the human wrist is no longer involved in weight-bearing during locomotor behavior and is instead recruited solely for manipulative behaviors. The results provide the beginnings of a 3D comparative standard against which further extant and fossil primate wrist bones can be compared within the contexts of manipulative and locomotor behaviors.

Periodontal disease -- the emergence of a risk for systemic conditions: pre-term low birth weight.

This paper addresses the problem of adverse pregnancy outcome in relation to periodontal disease. There is compelling evidence that a link exists between pre-term low birth weight (PLBW) and periodontitis. Although 25% to 50% of PLBW deliveries occur without any known aetiology, there is increasing evidence that infection may play a significant role in pre-term delivery. A model explaining the plausible relationship is proposed based upon the concept of infection leading to a cascade of inflammatory reactions associated with pre-term labour and periodontal disease. Current evidence has pointed to an interest in dental intervention studies to control periodontal disease as one of the potential strategies to reduce pre-term labour. This paper reviews the potential association between periodontal infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

PSE-like turkey breast enhancement through adjunct incorporation in a chunked and formed deli roll.

A randomized complete block design with five treatments (100% pale, soft, and exudative-like (PSE-like), 100% PSE-like+1.5% collagen, 100% PSE-like+0.30% κ-/ι-carrageenan, 100% PSE-like+1.5% soy protein concentrate, and 100% Normal) and six replications was utilized to test the effects of meat raw material, turkey collagen (TC), soy protein concentrate (SPC), and carrageenan (CG) on protein functionality in the formulation of chunked and formed turkey breast. Addition of 1.5% SPC and 1.5% TC both decreased (P<0.05) cooking loss and increased (P<0.005) the protein bind of treatments formulated with 100% PSE-like raw material. Purge loss decreased (P<0.05) in PSE-like raw material when 1.5% TC, 1.5% SPC, or 0.30% CG were utilized, and no differences (P>0.05) existed in consumer acceptability among treatments. This research demonstrates the potential to increase the water holding capacity and improve the texture of deli rolls from PSE-like raw material through the incorporation of collagen, soy protein, or carrageenan.

Optimal reconstruction of historical water supply to a distribution system: A. Methodology.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS), with support from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted an epidemiological study of childhood leukaemia and nervous system cancers that occurred in the period 1979 through 1996 in Dover Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. The epidemiological study explored a wide variety of possible risk factors, including environmental exposures. ATSDR and NJDHSS determined that completed human exposure pathways to groundwater contaminants occurred in the past through private and community water supplies (i.e. the water distribution system serving the area). To investigate this exposure, a model of the water distribution system was developed and calibrated through an extensive field investigation. The components of this water distribution system, such as number of pipes, number of tanks, and number of supply wells in the network, changed significantly over a 35-year period (1962--1996), the time frame established for the epidemiological study. Data on the historical management of this system was limited. Thus, it was necessary to investigate alternative ways to reconstruct the operation of the system and test the sensitivity of the system to various alternative operations. Manual reconstruction of the historical water supply to the system in order to provide this sensitivity analysis was time-consuming and labour intensive, given the complexity of the system and the time constraints imposed on the study. To address these issues, the problem was formulated as an optimization problem, where it was assumed that the water distribution system was operated in an optimum manner at all times to satisfy the constraints in the system. The solution to the optimization problem provided the historical water supply strategy in a consistent manner for each month of the study period. The non-uniqueness of the selected historical water supply strategy was addressed by the formulation of a second model, which was based on the first solution. Numerous other sensitivity analyses were also conducted using these two models. Both models are solved using a two-stage progressive optimality algorithm along with genetic algorithms (GAs) and the EPANET2 water distribution network solver. This process reduced the required solution time and generated a historically consistent water supply strategy for the water distribution system.

Optimal reconstruction of historical water supply to a distribution system: B. Applications.

In a recently completed case-control epidemiological study, the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) with support from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) documented an association between prenatal exposure to a specific contaminated community water source and leukaemia in female children. An important and necessary step in the epidemiological study was the reconstruction of the historical water supply strategy of the water distribution system serving the Dover Township area, New Jersey. The sensitivity of solutions to: (1) pressure and pattern factor constraints, (2) allowable operational extremes of water levels in the storage tanks, and (3) the non-uniqueness of the water supply solution are analysed in detail. The computational results show that the proposed approach yields satisfactory results for the complete set of monthly simulations and sensitivity analyses, providing a consistent approach for identifying the historical water supply strategy of the water distribution system. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the alternative strategy obtained from the revised objective function and the variation of constraints did not yield significantly different water supply characteristics. The overall analysis demonstrates that the progressive optimality genetic algorithm (POGA) developed to solve the optimization problem is an effective and efficient algorithm for the reconstruction of water supply strategies in water distribution systems.

Clinical relevance of adjunctive minocycline microspheres in patients with chronic periodontitis: secondary analysis of a phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: A recent Phase 3 trial demonstrated that adjunctive treatment with minocycline microspheres resulted in significant reductions in patient mean probing depths as compared to scaling and root planing (SRP) alone. The objective of the present study was to evaluate clinical relevance of these changes within the trial using proposed site-based criteria. METHODS: A total of 499 patients with moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis were enrolled in a multi-center trial and randomized to either: 1) SRP alone or 2) SRP plus minocycline microspheres. Subjects received complete probing examinations including the measurement of probing depths at baseline, and 1 and 3 months. Probing depth reductions were tabulated by treatment, examination time, and baseline depths, and inter-group differences were evaluated with logistic regression models for correlated data. RESULTS: Significantly more sites treated with adjunctive minocycline microspheres exhibited probing depths < 5 mm at 1 (P = 0.0009) and 3 (P = 0.01) months as compared to sites treated with SRP alone, both in the overall population and in smokers. In addition, significantly more sites decreased by 1, 2, or 3 mm in the adjunctive minocycline group than in the SRP alone group at 1 and 3 months, both overall as well as in smokers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This secondary analysis indicates that treatment with SRP plus minocycline microspheres is consistently more effective than SRP alone in providing clinically relevant site-based responses in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Functional capabilities of modern and fossil hominid hands: three-dimensional analysis of trapezia.

Three-dimensional (3D) trapezium models from Homo sapiens, Gorilla gorilla, Pan troglodytes, Australopithecus afarensis (A.L.333-80), and Homo habilis (O.H.7-NNQ) were acquired through laser digitizing. Least-square planes were generated for each articular surface, and the angles between the planes were compared. Each extant species displays an overall pattern that distinguishes it from the others. The observed angles in G. gorilla and P. troglodytes are more similar to one other than either is to H. sapiens. Our results, obtained from using new 3D modeling and analytical tools, raise interesting questions about the functional capabilities of the fossil trapezia. Multivariate statistical analyses indicate that A.L.333-80 is morphologically more similar to that of modern humans, whereas the O.H.7 trapezium is more similar to that of the gorilla. Significant differences between A.L.333-80 and the extant species occur, but some similarities to humans suggest the ability to form the distinctively human forceful pad-to-side and three-jaw chuck grips. Some key morphological differences from humans highlighted and quantified by our research suggest limitations in the functional capabilities of the O.H.7 trapezium, particularly in those that facilitate pronation at the base of the second metacarpal. If the O.H.7 trapezium represents part of the hand responsible for manufacturing and using the stone tools found at Olduvai, our results suggest that the hand manipulated the stones in a way for which we have no modern analog. Alternative considerations are that the O.H.7 trapezium is not representative of other trapezia from its species (i.e., N=1), or that it represents another primate or hominid species.

Safety and clinical effects of topical histatin gels in humans with experimental gingivitis.

BACKGROUND: Our research group has recently reported that exogenously applied histatins can inhibit plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in a preclinical canine model (Paquette et al. 1997). OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial were to evaluate the safety and toxicity of three histatin (P-113) concentrations in gel formulations, and to assess potential clinical benefit on the development of gingivitis (partial mouth design). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and six healthy subjects were recruited and brought to optimal gingival health (GI < 0.5) prior to treatment initiation. At baseline, eligible subjects were randomized for one of the following treatments: (1) placebo; (2) 0.0625% P-113; (3) 0.125% P-113; and (4) 0.375% P-113. Patients self-applied gels twice daily for 29 days to the maxillary right quadrant with the use of customized stents. In addition, patients deferred all oral hygiene procedures within this quadrant for the duration of the treatment period. Safety was assessed in terms of physical and oral examinations, clinical laboratory testing and recording of adverse events. Clinical indices were measured weekly and included gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and %BOP. RESULTS: All study formulations were well tolerated by patients, and no differences in adverse event occurrences were noted among treatment groups, including taste alteration or staining. For the intent-to-treat population, significantly smaller %BOP changes were noted in subjects treated with 0.0625, 0.125 and 0.375% P-113 gels (17.4, 18.18 and 17.9%, respectively) versus placebo (28.0%) (p < 0.05) at day 29. When groups were compared in terms of per cent responders (change in %BOP < 15 or < 20%), P-113 treatment groups exhibited a higher frequency of response, especially for the 0.0625 and 0.125% P-113 formulations (p < 0.05). Although no statistically significant intergroup differences were noted for changes in GI or PI among all subjects (intent-to-treat population), significantly smaller changes in PI at day 22 were observed among compliant individuals (defined as subjects using > 60% of the target gel mass) administering P-113 gels as compared with compliant placebo subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate safety and tolerance of P-113 gels for topical oral use in human subjects. These data also suggest that P-113 gels administered twice daily may reduce experimental gingivitis as measured with bleeding on probing in humans.